FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-The ol’ first home game after a road trip curse really got the Senators last night. It’s one of those things I’ve never really understood but that seems to apply to almost every team at all parts of the season. After an extended road trip, teams always seem just a little bit flat when they play the first game in their own barn. And that was definitely the case with the Sens last night. No jump in the first, dreadful in the second and playing catch up in the third. Definitely not a recipe for success.
-That second line just isn’t working. Curtis Lazar is not a top six forward at this stage of his career and he certainly isn’t a top six left winger. In Junior, Lazar played both centre and right wing but was actually quoted as saying he really doesn’t like the left side. Which is why it’s a little bit surprising to see him there so often. He’s a smart player and is making the best of it but I really don’t think they’re getting the most out of him (or Zibanejad and Stone) by playing him at LW.
–That hit on Mika Zibanejad by Radko Krampus was about as blatant a head shot as you’ll see. Maybe not the blind side version the league as been so tough on but this was a clear forearm/elbow to a player’s head. Clearly targeting his head too. A suspension seems obvious but it really doesn’t do anything for the Senators or Zibanejad. That should have been a five minute major and a lengthy, possibly game-changing power play for the Senators.
-The loss hurts but it’s the injuries that are the primary concern after this one. Milan Michalek blocked a shot with his hand and according to Cameron, is out long term. That means something’s broken. Zibanejad did not look good going off the ice after that Gudas hit and considering his previous issues with concussions, I expect the Senators to extra cautious. Turris is also clearly still favouring his shoulder/arm/wrist area but playing through it. Add those injuries to the ones to MacArthur and Hammond and it starts to get pretty concerning. Especially considering the tough December schedule the Senators have ahead of them.
-Shane Prince continues to get the ol’ Mike Hoffman treatment late in games. That first Flyers goal (which could have been called too many men) was partly because of a bad read by Prince in his own end and the Coach remembered that in the third period. With only ten players on his bench to begin with, the Coach elected to shorten his bench even further and sit Shane Prince in the third period. Whether deserved or not, Prince has developed a reputation as a young player that can’t yet be completely trusted in his own end of the rink. Prince played just 7:49 last night.
